Enemy Soldiers Research Articles

Personality, Prejudice, and Politics

In studying world affairs we are acutely conscious of the fact that many rivalries and conflicts are carried on with hostility on all sides, but within a framework of mutual respect. We have too many examples of honor among enemy soldiers to regard this as remarkable.At the same time we know that one of the most exacerbated forms of conflict occurs when incompatible respect demands are involved. The “ex-colonials” of the globe are asserting themselves with vindictive passion against “white imperialists.” Most of these “ex-colonials” are colored, and they are reacting against the memory of years of humiliation, fancied or real, inflicted by the West. In some states of the “West,” notably the Union of South Africa and the United States, internal politics are torn by ethnic hostilities. Many historical cases support the proposition that conflict is peculiarly atrocious when an established system of caste is challenged, or is believed to be challenged. We recall the outrages perpetrated by serfs in revolt against lords, or by masters against revolting (or allegedly revolting) slaves.

The Anti-Cholera Inoculations of Dr. Ferran

IN the spring and summer of the present year the public in Europe—lay and medical—have been greatly agitated by the exploits of a Spanish medical gentleman, who, during the cholera epidemic then raging in Spain, claimed to have discovered a means of preventing cholera. He was hailed as a great benefactor, and if his deeds had been equal to his professions, he would no doubt fully deserve to rank with Jenner, the greatest benefactor to mankind. But fortunately the medical world, at any rate the scientific medical world outside Spain, is not guided by the allegations of enthusiasts nor by wonder-doctors either. A Don Quixote, who discerns in a windmill giants, in a flock of sheep a squadron of the enemy's soldiers, may present points of interest to the psychologist: to the disciple of physiology and pathology he demonstrates an aberration of the visual nerve centres. I shall show that Dr. Ferran comes very near in rank, not to Jenner, but to his own illustrious countryman, the Knight of La Mancha.